Date

7-22-2025

Department

School of Behavioral Sciences

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)

Chair

M. Diane Pearce

Keywords

Attachment styles, spiritual practices, Protestant Christians, psychological well-being, relational security, faith and attachment, spiritual development, divine attachment, emotion regulation, spiritually integrated therapy, pastoral care, bidirectional relationship, theology and psychology, adult attachment, religious coping

Disciplines

Psychology | Religion

Abstract

This qualitative study explores the bidirectional relationship between spirituality and attachment among Protestant Christians—a topic with limited empirical focus. Grounded in attachment theory and theological insights, prior research often treats attachment as a static predictor of spiritual development, with little attention to how spiritual engagement may reshape attachment. This study addresses the gap by examining how these relational domains mutually inform each other and affect psychological well-being within a Christian context. The purpose was to explore if adult attachment styles and spiritual practices influence emotional health, relational security, and overall well-being among active Protestant Christians. Twenty-two adults actively engaged in personal and communal spiritual practices and participated in semi-structured interviews reflecting on attachment experiences, relational patterns, and faith. Findings revealed that securely attached individuals described stable, trusting relationships with God and others. In contrast, those with insecure attachment found that spiritual practices, such as prayer, scripture, and community, fostered emotional regulation and trust over time. Some initially viewed God through the lens of unresolved attachment issues, but sustained faith engagement facilitated healing and growth. Results suggest spirituality mirrors attachment tendencies and helps restore and reshape relational capacities. Implications include expanding pastoral care, informing spiritually integrated therapy, and advancing theories on how divine and human connections promote resilience and well-being. This study supports a holistic model that integrates psychological and spiritual development.

Download

Share

COinS